Holliston High News

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Holliston High is excited to begin Stage 2 of our one-to-one Chromebook program. Chromebooks are low-cost, cloud-centric laptops that allow students and teachers to participate in collaborative, interactive, digital learning experiences. We have seen tremendous success with our Chromebook program during the first year, and are looking forward to expanding the program in 2017-2018.

Grade 9

HHS will provide a Chromebook device to all students in Grade 9. There is no annual fee for this Chromebook; however, we strongly recommend that families purchase the optional insurance plan for $40*, which protects against accidental damage. Chromebooks for freshmen will be ready for pickup at the 9th Grade Orientation event on Wednesday, August 23rd, providing that the Chromebook Insurance/Waiver Form is turned in by the deadline. Otherwise, Chromebooks will be available during the first week of school once the form is completed and turned in.

Grade 10

HHS will provide a Chromebook device to all students in Grade 10. Whenever possible, students will receive the same Chromebook that they returned in the spring. There is no annual fee for the Chromebook; however, we strongly recommend that families purchase the optional insurance plan for $40*, which protects against accidental damage. Chromebooks for sophomores will be ready for pickup in Advisory on the first day of school.

Every Grade 10 studentis required to complete and return a Chromebook Insurance/Waiver formto HHS byWednesday, August 23rd.Sophomores who do not submit their form by the due date may not receive their Chromebook on the first day of school.

Grade 11

Juniors will continue to have the option to “opt out” of Chromebook use. Whenever possible, students who “opted in” last year and were issued Chromebooks in 2016-2017 will receive the same Chromebook that they returned in the spring. For families who chose to opt out last year, we will extend your “opt out” decision and previously signed paperwork again this year. However, if you have changed your mind and would like to “opt in”, you can request to be issued a Chromebook from the limited supply that we have left (first-come, first-served). There is no annual fee for the Chromebook; however, we strongly recommend that families purchase the optional insurance plan for $40*, which protects against accidental damage. Chromebooks for juniors will be ready for pickup in Advisory on the first day of school.

For 11th Graders Only: Only those 11th Grade studentsrequesting Chromebooks are required to complete and return aChromebook Insurance/Waiver formtoHHS byWednesday, August 23rd, in order to have the Chromebook ready and available for the first day of school.

Note on the “opt out” program: Juniors who chose to opt out last year and are continuing to choose to opt out this year do not need to complete a form. However, these students and families must understand that choosing to opt out reflects an agreement to bring a laptop (not a smartphone or tablet) to school everyday. If this is not possible, please consider requesting a Chromebook instead.

Grade 12

Seniors will continue the BYOD program, and will be expected to bring their own personal laptop to school everyday. Seniors who borrowed Chromebooks as Juniors in 2016-2017 may request the same Chromebook again for 2017-2018. Students without a personal laptop to bring can request a Chromebook from the limited supply that we have left (first-come, first-served). There is no annual fee for the Chromebook; however, we strongly recommend that families purchase the optional insurance plan for $40*, which protects against accidental damage. Chromebooks for seniors will be ready for pickup in the library during the first week of school.

Seniors requesting Chromebooks must complete and return aChromebook Insurance/Waiver formto HHS byWednesday, August 23rd, in order to have the Chromebook ready and available for the first day of school.

Form Due Dates

In order to have the Chromebooks ready for Freshman Orientation (for grade 9) and the first day of school (for grades 10-12), please submit your form and optional insurance check by the following due dates.

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Hopefully everyone is having a wonderful summer so far and enjoying some time to relax. Student schedules for 2017-2018 will be available Monday, July 17th through iParent. However, every summer there is a significant amount of end-of-year reporting to the Department of Education that must take place prior to updating iPass and changing over students' information to reflect the new academic year. As a result, updates usually are not able to take place until the end of July or beginning of August. However, we recognize that this time frame is too late to release schedules, especially for those students who have summer reading associated with their courses.

Therefore, we are making schedules available on Monday with the understanding that students' grade level and advisory/homeroom will NOT be accurate until later in the summer. Please do not panic if your student just completed 9th grade and is still listed as a 9th grader, as this will be adjusted once the end of year reporting is complete.

The high school has gone to great lengths to provide the best possible schedule for your individual student's needs. If a situation has been overlooked, we would like to provide you with our process for schedule adjustments.

Please note that advisory/homeroom locations have not been updated or in some cases added to the schedules yet for next year.

The guidance counselors will be available for scheduling assistance August 22nd through the 25thby appointment only. Each counselor will be scheduling appointments for two of those days depending on their own schedules and availability.

In order to meet with a counselor to make a schedule adjustment, an appointment must be made in advance by calling the Guidance Office at 508-429-0677 x1107.

Due to the anticipated volume of activity during the last days of summer vacation, appointments will be limited to students who have scheduling issues with semester-long classes (running for ½ the year.)

All issues with electives and term courses will be handled during the first days of school.

Please remember that on occasion, teacher and student schedules are subject to change over the summer.

Please be reminded of the school rules. Schedules will not be adjusted to meet individual teacher preferences or classmate requests.

We thank you in advance for your understanding and look forward to a wonderful 2017-2018 school year.

Thursday, June 15, 2017

Athletes that will be freshmen in the Fall need to take a new baseline test. The test is required prior to tryouts for Volleyball, Soccer, Field Hockey and Football. If you are unsure if you need to take it, please see Ms. Siglin in the Athletic Training Room. Baseline tests are required every 2 years.

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

We have received several phone calls inquiring about the school rotation calendar for the end of the year. This year we had 4 snow days which pushed back the end of Term 4 and final exams. The following is the school schedule for the remainder of the year:

Thursday June 15th B Day

Friday June 16th C Day

Monday June 19th D Day

Last Day of Term 4

Tuesday June 20th

A & B Exams - Buses depart HHS at 11:15

Wednesday June 21st

C & D Exams - Buses depart HHS at 11:15

Thursday June 22nd

A Day - Modified bell schedule for half day - Buses depart HHS at 10:45